 Local students exploring options at the annual event More than 40 colleges, job training programs, military organizations, and community resources were represented at College and Career Night Out on October 3 at Fremont High School. The annual event drew hundreds of students and families from across Newaygo County to learn more about post-secondary education and job training, financial aid, and more. WE CAN! Newaygo County—the local career and college access network—and Fremont Area Community Foundation partnered on the event. Melissa Miller, Director of Career, Technical & Post-Secondary Education for the Newaygo County Regional Educational Service Agency, said that the event was designed to spark curiosity and connection regarding college and career opportunities for local students. "Given the many factors that can impact a student's decision to pursue education or training after high school, this event remains invaluable for families by gathering a wide range of career and college resources and representatives in one place," Miller said. "It helps families make connections, get their questions answered, and discover the numerous resources available to support them throughout this decision-making process." As the event started, attendees could choose between informational sessions on financial aid, choosing a college, the Promise Zone, and career training through apprenticeships. The sessions were followed by a college and career fair in the gym which allowed students to speak with representatives from a wide variety of public and private colleges and universities, military branches, trade schools, and career training programs. Representatives from Early College Newaygo County, Gerber Foundation, Michigan Works! West Central, Michigan Student Aid, Newaygo County Area Promise Zone, Newaygo County Career-Tech Center, and the Community Foundation were also available to share more about the resources their organizations offer to students and families. Event organizers extend their gratitude to their hosts at Fremont High School, the community members and students who volunteered during the event, and session presenters.  Fremont High School hosted the well attended College and Career Night Out
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 White Cloud wins the first ever Tony McHattie Bowl – Tier D – Varsity Division Championship Trophy. From left to right: Coach Stephen Smith, Captain Wyatt Karnes, Mason D’Lamater, Brian Loveless, and Liam Povey  The White Cloud Quiz Bowl Team The Jan Rademacher Memorial Quiz Bowl Invitational by Coach Stephen Smith Wow! It’s here! The highly anticipated quiz bowl season kicked off with White Cloud’s Jan Rademacher Memorial Quiz Bowl Invitational held on Saturday, October 12, 2024. The academic showcase featured a field of competition from 15 different schools, hailing from both Michigan and Indiana, and included 30 teams in total. Of the 15 schools that entered the tournament, almost all were state finalists or national qualifiers. The following powerhouse teams engaged in quiz bowl action: Class A John Adams (IN), Grand Ledge, Holland, Mt. Pleasant, Okemos, and Traverse City Central; Class B Alma, Interlochen, Ionia, Mercy Farmington Hills, South Haven, and Williamston; Class C Kalamazoo Christian, Roscommon, and White Cloud. In all tiers of competitive play, the contests were thrillingly close and certainly entertaining with an absolutely incredible finish in the grand championship. Competing in their first tournament of the season, the White Cloud Varsity A Quiz Bowl contingent (8-1) was an unconquerable force, battling for victories all morning and afternoon. In the first match of the day, the “quizessential” quartet held onto their lead, in an agonizingly close match, triumphing over Mercy Farmington Hills (210-200). Next, the sensational squad defeated White Cloud B (300-35) in a friendly bout. The ferocious foursome dispatched Roscommon B (300-40) and Roscommon A (225-135), respectively, to round out the morning contests in fantastic fashion. In afternoon action, the courageous combatants routed Kalamazoo Christian B (275-165) and South Haven (360-70). Dramatically, the vanquishing vanguard overcame adversity to come back to tie in the last seconds of regulation against Alma. With the fortuitous exploits of Liam Povey’s overtime performance, the terrific team prevailed (215-195 OT). Vying for a trophy in the final match, the gallant group dominated Kalamazoo Christian A (220-155), seizing the Tony McHattie Bowl – Tier D Varsity Division Championship Trophy. The Indians only faltered once against Williamston (150-280), which finished 13th nationally and was an eventual finalist in our grand championship match. Even still, the efforts over the course of the day paid off brilliantly, and the team qualified for the State Competition for the 36th time, an all-time Class C-D record in Michigan. Perhaps even more astounding and extraordinary, the team also qualified to Nationals for the 28th time in the school’s history. Now examining individual efforts, the Varsity A ensemble was led in scoring by two-time All-Conference, senior Captain Wyatt Karnes, the recipient of the prestigious Brian Derks Award for most points scored by a White Cloud player. He amassed an astronomical 450 total points on the day. Next up, Liam Povey erupted for an additional healthy portion of 210 points. Mason D’Lamater heaped on another impressive 165 points, and Brian Loveless grabbed 75 points. Exhibiting a tremendous all-around incredible effort, the team garnered 2,245 total points in the tournament with an astonishing average of 249.44 points per game. Now focusing on the White Cloud Varsity B, the contingent picked up a quality win against Kalamazoo Christian B (140-95). Leading the scintillating squad in scoring with an outstanding number of points was junior Captain Tyler Higgins with 215. Landon Edwards added in a substantial point total of 85. Annabelle Bird and Charlotte Karnes contributed 45 and 40 points, respectively. The dedication and commitment from these exceptional players will undoubtedly pay dividends in future outings. In JV divisional action, White Cloud’s Junior Varsity A competed valiantly earning two victories over Roscommon JV (130-35) and South Haven JV B (135-40). Captain Arsyn Balke led the team in scoring with a remarkable 210 points, followed by Trysten Tancock’s solid 75 points. Rhoen Wade added 45 more still. Zeke Hensley captured 20 and Kacie Kailing posted 5 points. Junior Varsity B acquired an enormous amount of gameplay knowledge picking up three wins against Roscommon JV (100-65), White Cloud JV A, (110-40) and White Cloud JV C (90-10). Brayden Perdue led the peerless pack with 235 points, the best outing of his career. In their first tournament experience, Kate McHaney scored 100 points and Kristy Irwin notched 90, quite an extraordinary feat. Captain Jay Fessenden posted 15 points in his initial effort as a leader. The Junior Varsity C team demonstrated their academic prowess by winning a contest against White Cloud JV A (100-50). In a scoring barrage, Lily Ulmen marked up an astounding 120 points, which led the team. Quin Rose revealed his depth of knowledge by gaining 60 points. Captain Leah Vining tallied up 40 points. Lukas Huff was a morale booster and assisted on bonus questions. Moving on to the grand championship finale, juggernauts John Adams B and Williamston faced off in an epic showdown that pitted the large and small school tier champions against each other. The contest featured at least nine lead changes, and the heavyweight challenge ended in a razor-tight win for John Adams B with a score of 275-260. Tier champions were as follows: Okemos, Tier-A, John Adams B, Tier-B, Williamston, Tier-C, and White Cloud, Tier-D. Hail to all the victors on the momentous day! While the White Cloud Quiz Bowl Team enjoyed an overabundance of success on Saturday, it is important to recognize, remember, and honor those who have contributed to the team’s accomplishments. First and foremost, it is imperative to remember Jan Rademacher, longtime volunteer assistant coach and namesake of our tournament who passed away August 23, 2003, and to honor Brian Derks, leading scorer, and state and national qualifier for White Cloud. He died tragically in Iraq on August 13, 2005, as he was serving his country and his God. Starting a new tradition, our trophies are now named in reverence to the legendary and foundational leader of our storied program, Tony McHattie.  Wyatt Karnes won the coveted Brian Derks Award for most points by a White Cloud player. From left to right: Coach Emeritus Tony McHattie, Captain Wyatt Karnes, Peggy Derks, Keith Derks, Sally Thomas, and Coach Stephen Smith Additionally, Coach Stephen Smith and assistant coaches Arnie Baker, Allison Fetterley, Annie Feldpausch, Anna Mohr, and Jarrett Warlick wish to thank the following people for making the Jan Rademacher Memorial Quiz Bowl Invitational the major success that it was: Coach Emeritus:Tony McHattie Registrar/Greeters: Pat Ebenstein Peggy Derks, Keith Derks Media: David Hewitt and Inside Newsletter, Ken De Laat and Near North Now, Rich Wheater and Times Indicator, Joyce Pearson,Leanne Krystiniak, Debby Reinhold School Announcements: Jolene Alger, Tracey Foster, Rebecca Nichols Moderators: Chad Fetterley, Carl Van Faasen,Tony McHattie, Mike Feldpausch, Karen D’Lamater, Dave Feldpausch, Denise Alleman, Ron Phillips, Tracy Trimm, Zane Keith, Stephanie Karnes, Anthony Solis-Victoria, Sam Viher, Dan Dipple, Chelsea Webb Judges: Steve Fetterley, Adam Fitzmaurice-Perdue, Mark Robinson, Lance Willson, Cordell Talbott, Mel Morris,Andria Knapp, Gabrielle Fessenden, Brian Vining Scorekeepers: Bonnie Fetterley, Bree Fitzmaurice-Perdue, Vicki Burke, Laurie Clary, Sally Thomas (Derks), Connie Edwards, Jessica Higgins, Riki Edwards, Jamie Fletcher Malachi Graves, Amber VanBoxel, Sara Gorman, Amber Viher, Megan Cruzan, Jordan Shephard Tournament Scoring Headquarters: Brent Foondle, Director of Tournament Scorekeeping Becki Kukal, Lead Tournament Statistician Samantha Kukal, Assistant Tournament Statistician NAQT Statistician: Andrea Atwood Signage / Technology: Ralph Herwig Awards / Banners: Brian Scarbrough, Lakeshore Signs LLC Pam Christoffersen Business Management Team: Brent Foondle Ed Canning Erin Canning Photographer: Sara Gorman Art & Design: Isabel Karnes, IK Photos Award Presenters: Keith Derks Peggy Derks Sally (Derks) Thomas WMJ Custodial Staff: Chastidy Huron Jessica Magnan White Cloud High School Student Council: Courtney Dolan, Adviser Brooklyn Foondle, President Wyatt Karnes, Vice President Emily Hedlund, Treasurer Landon Edwards, Secretary Arsyn Balke, Payten Bird, Amayah Canavan, Nina Capallia-Bird, Natalie Compeau, Addyson Cook, Treyton Davison, Molly Francis, Andaleene Gordan, Tyler Higgins, Dominique Horton, Charlotte Karnes, Keira Maike, Damian Mayle, Kaylee Nichols, Emma Plake, Isabella Shockley, Kaleb Thorn, Loretta Venditti Lunch Personnel: Monica Traynor and the White Cloud Food Service Ashley Robinson, Subway John D’Lamater Pat Ebenstein Peggy Derks Keith Derks Diamond Room Sponsors: Northern Towing & Recovery LLC, donation by Shannon & Gabrielle Fessenden White Cloud Quiz Bowl Alumni In Memory of Allen L Smith, donation by Stephen L Smith Message to the Team: 1 Timothy 4:12-16, donation by Anonymous Platinum Room Sponsors: Paul & Charlotte Johnson White River Management Inc., donation by Bill & Teressa Hamilton Gold Room Sponsors: Isabel Karnes, IK Photo Silver Room Sponsors: American Storage USA, donation by Gary & Leanne Wendt Bill Mills Fitzmaurice-Perdue Family Anonymous Bronze Room Sponsors: Mast Family Alumni John & Marie Green In Memory of Benjamin Vining, donation by Paul Vining In Memory of Carolyn Gibson, donation by Kevin & Becki Gibson Donors Choose Sponsors: William Schmidt, Tracy Trimm, Paula Vining, Kristine Wise, Sean and Julie Chambers Daria W. Devantier, Andrea Atwood, Alicia Nichols, Michael Boerman, Anonymous  Wonderful volunteers! Officials of the Jan Rademacher Memorial Quiz Bowl Inv. 
Walkers know how to do Halloween.
It was the fall of 2020 when COVID restrictions continued to limit activities. Bob Walker of Newaygo looked around and didn’t like what he was seeing. Or maybe not seeing. “It was awful what kids had to go through with all the restrictions. There was nothing for them to do. They couldn’t go anywhere or do anything fun.They even had police tape around the skate park.” So Walker decided to do something about it. That fall he began creating what is surely one of the most wonderfully eerie and spooky yards to be found anywhere as a Halloween haven for trick or treaters. And it continues to grow as anyone who drives past their Barton Street home can attest to. With Bob’s wife Cathy on board with it all from the beginning, he has created an array of bone related beings, each telling their own fascinating story. A winding and weaving path takes you through the yard, but go slow because there is a lot to take in. And hey, don’t forget the big guy on the roof. He’s hard to miss. “The first year we had just over 700 come through. We ran out of candy so we ended up grabbing granola bars and lunch snacks to finish the night. Last year was just over 1500 but we had about a foot of snow the night before, so that slowed it down a little." "Cathy said I forgot to get dog treats.” he added with a laugh. “We get quite a few of the four-legged visitors as well.” Kudos to the Walkers who go the extra mile to make their community just a little bit friendlier. And while it may sound strange to think of this veritable melange of macabre an act of kindness? It fits perfectly with what Bob and Cathy Walker have accomplished.  Submissions Close October 6, 2024
District Health Department #10 (DHD#10), a MiThrive partner, is reminding residents to participate in the 2024 MiThrive Community Health Survey. The 2024 MiThrive Community Health Survey closes October 6, 2024. MiThrive covers 31 counties throughout Northern Michigan and is comprised of Hospitals, Health Departments, and a number of Community Partners. The responses collected from the Community Health Survey helps influence decision making to improve the health of the community. If you reside within DHD#10’s jurisdiction, you’re eligible to participate! Community Health Survey Details:
To find out more about MiThrive and this unique opportunity to share your voice, visit their website: https://northernmichiganchir.org/mithrive/. |
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